Keri
Forbess -
McCorquodale MS, CEAP, LPC-S, LMFT, OWNER, SOLUTIONS COUNSELING & EAP Keri Forbess-McCorquodale knew she wanted
to be a therapist when she started college, so her career path was a straight one. She earned Bachelor of Psychology and Master of Counseling degrees from the University of Memphis in Tennessee. When she moved back home to Lake Charles, she was hired as a counselor at United Way Agency and later became the director of their adolescent substance abuse program. Forbess-McCorquodale calls her introduction to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) field “blind luck,” discovered when working at a counseling agency that also provided EAP services. As she learned more, she knew it would be a good fit. “I love Industrial and organizational psychology, and the ways home and work intersect and influence each other,” she says. “I also enjoy management concepts and helping supervisors become strong leaders, and I really like providing trainings and seminars.” Today, her growing company has contracts with businesses and organizations across SWLA, providing counseling for their employees, management consultations, and workshops on both psychological and work topics. “I love the field I am in and the work I do,” says Forbess-McCorquodale. “Supporting clients as they go on their journeys to develop and become healthy is such an honor, and helping companies be successful, and being a resource for management with regards to psychological behavior is very energizing.” Although Forbess-McCorquodale is feeling what everyone else is feeling after the barrage of two hurricanes – tired, overwhelmed, and ready for this all to be over – she says she has viewed her role during all this as one of calm leadership. “It is my job to provide a stable environment for my team, so we can provide our services to our clients. Our office was completely destroyed, but within days after Hurricane Laura, I had secured a temporary place for my business to move into and my team and I were providing tele-counseling within a week of that storm.”
Volunteer work Junior League of Lake Charles, Sustaining Member (Past President) SWLA Law Center (President-elect) Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (Secretary of the LA Chapter)
On Finding Balance My only child is in college now, but oh, how I struggled when he was younger. I always felt I should be at home when I was at work and vice-versa. I decided to be fully present wherever I was. When I was at work, I learned how to tune in and be as productive as possible. When I was at home, I focused on spending time with my family and not letting the job creep in. My husband, Rob, has always been just as hands on as me, and we shared equally in parenting responsibilities.
Best Advice Don’t try to go it alone. Look for people who exhibit qualities you admire and ask to be mentored. Educate yourself on the characteristics of successful people, and work to build those characteristics. Finally, be kind and gentle with yourself; berating rarely motivates, whereas encouragement rarely doesn’t.
Awards/Recognition Outstanding Women of America Active of the Year, Junior League of Lake Charles
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